A controversial ordinance could be passed by the Savannah City on Thursday, March 1. The ordinance would lessen the consequences for marijuana penalties. District one alderman Van Johnson says his proposal is to lessen the penalties for people caught with less than one ounce of marijuana. He says marijuana arrests disproportionately impact minority communities, and greatly affects people’s futures. The proposal is designed to lessen the legal burden for people who’ve committed misdemeanors. “It’s an opportunity for Savannah to not think historically, although we are a historic city,” says Johnson. “It’s for us to be in front of the curve, and to really address some contemporary issues regarding criminal justice and social justice in our community.” Johnson also says the ordinance is aimed to lighten the workload for police officers, so they can focus on the city’s violent crimes. One day before the ordinance gets a second read, Savannah mayor Eddie DeLoach said he believes the ordinance could be a challenge, and that he’s like to see other soft crimes handled at the same time, instead of separately. “I think the number one issue is that it’s against the law in the state, so you have to take that into consideration,” says Mayor DeLoach. “But past that I think it’s a good idea that we bring in other things that the National League of Cities has recommended we look at."

Savannah, GA —

A controversial ordinance could be passed by the Savannah City on Thursday, March 1. The ordinance would lessen the consequences for marijuana penalties.

District one alderman Van Johnson says his proposal is to lessen the penalties for people caught with less than one ounce of marijuana. He says marijuana arrests disproportionately impact minority communities, and greatly affects people’s futures. The proposal is designed to lessen the legal burden for people who’ve committed misdemeanors.

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“It’s an opportunity for Savannah to not think historically, although we are a historic city,” says Johnson.

“It’s for us to be in front of the curve, and to really address some contemporary issues regarding criminal justice and social justice in our community.”

Johnson also says the ordinance is aimed to lighten the workload for police officers, so they can focus on the city’s violent crimes.

One day before the ordinance gets a second read, Savannah mayor Eddie DeLoach said he believes the ordinance could be a challenge, and that he’s like to see other soft crimes handled at the same time, instead of separately.

“I think the number one issue is that it’s against the law in the state, so you have to take that into consideration,” says Mayor DeLoach.

“But past that I think it’s a good idea that we bring in other things that the National League of Cities has recommended we look at."